Erupsi Gunung Anak Krakatau pada awal September 2026 menyebabkan abu vulkanik menyebar ke sejumlah wilayah, termasuk permukiman warga. Abu yang terbawa angin tidak hanya mengganggu aktivitas sehari-hari, tetapi juga bisa menempel pada tanaman di halaman atau sekitar rumah.
Sekilas, tanaman yang tertutup abu mungkin hanya terlihat kotor dan kusam. Padahal, endapan abu pada daun bisa menghambat fotosintesis dan proses alami lainnya pada tanaman.
Kalau tanaman kesayanganmu ikut terdampak, jangan buru-buru panik, Thecuy. Ada beberapa cara yang bisa dilakukan untuk membersihkan abu sekaligus merawat tanaman agar kondisinya tidak semakin buruk. Yuk, simak langkah-langkah berikut ini!
1. Bersihkan Abu yang Menempel pada Daun Menggunakan Air
Illustration of an ornamental plant being cleaned with clean water/Foto: Magnific/magnific
The first step is to remove ash that has stuck to the plant. According to the University of Hawaiʻi College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience, leaves and flowers exposed to volcanic ash should be rinsed with clean water.
Do not let ash accumulate for too long on leaf surfaces as it can disrupt the plant’s natural processes. However, avoid rubbing the leaves too hard so as not to cause further damage.
Rinse the plant gently until most of the ash is removed. If the ash is thick, clean it off gradually.
2. Amati Keadaan Daun Setelah Bersih dari Abu
Illustration of a woman inspecting leaf surface/Foto: Pexels/ROCKETMANN TEAM
After cleaning the ash, the plant does not immediately recover, Thecuy. Observe the color, texture, and condition of the leaves over several days to monitor its progress.
Volcanic ash that sticks to leaves can interfere with the plant’s natural processes, including photosynthesis and transpiration. According to the United States Geological Survey, a thick layer of ash can even block both processes and cause the plant to be damaged.
Therefore, do not rush to prune all leaves that appear unhealthy. If only a few leaves start to become damaged, continue to care for the plant as usual while monitoring its condition.
3. Periksa Kondisi Tanah dan Air yang Digunakan
Illustration of a woman watering a plant/Foto: Magnific/jcomp
The effects of volcanic ash are not only visible on plant leaves. Ash that falls to the ground can also alter the acidity, nutrients, and water content within it.
The United States Geological Survey also explains that fresh volcanic ash can contain a layer of salt and acid that dissolves in water. Therefore, ash that sticks to leaves or other plant parts can damage the plant, especially if it is highly acidic.
For plants exposed to heavy ash, also pay attention to the water used for irrigation. Acidic irrigation water needs to be treated so that its pH remains suitable for the plant.
4. Relokasi Tanaman ke Area yang Lebih Terlindung
Illustration of securing a potted plant to a greenhouse area/Foto: Magnific/magnific
After cleaning, try to prevent the plant from being exposed to ash again. Move the plant to a safer location to avoid further exposure.
The plant can be placed in a greenhouse if possible. You can also temporarily cover it with cloth or plastic to reduce ash exposure. If the plant is in a pot, simply move it to a shaded area that still receives good light and air circulation.
5. Pertimbangkan Perlindungan Tambahan bagi Tanaman
Illustration of an ornamental plant being given a bicarbonate solution/Foto: Magnific/magnific
In addition to cleaning ash, you can also take some preventive steps. According to information from the University of Hawaiʻi College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience, plants can be given antitranspirant products to help close stomata or a bicarbonate solution to neutralize acidity.
However, this method has not been scientifically proven. Early test results show potential, but its effectiveness still needs further research.
Therefore, do not directly spray bicarbonate solution or antitranspirant products all over the plant. If you want to try it, apply it first to a few leaves and observe the reaction.
Those are some steps that can be taken when plants are affected by volcanic ash. With simple care and regular monitoring, the plant’s condition can be maintained.
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